Virginia Statutes of Limitations

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"Statutes of limitations" are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a "civil" lawsuit, like a personal injury lawsuit, or how long the state has to prosecute someone for committing a crime. These time limits usually depend on the legal claim or crime involved in the case, and they're different from state to state. For example, in some states you may have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were hurt in a car accident, but in other states you may have two years. As general rule:

The time period begins to run on the date your claim arises or "accrues," like the day of the car accident, or when a crime is committed, and

Once the statute of limitations has expired or "run," you can't file a lawsuit (or be prosecuted for a crime)

Below are the statutes of limitations in Virginia for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn't cover everything. Also, the laws may change at any time, so be sure to check the current laws and read them carefully, or talk to an attorney if you have any questions.

Civil

Note: Most of the civil statutes of limitations are in Title 8.1, Chapter 4 of the Code of Virginia. You can scroll through the laws in this Chapter to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or "causes of action" not listed below.

Criminal

Note: Most of the criminal statutes of limitations generally are in Title 19.2, Chapter 1 of the Code of Virginia. You can scroll through the criminal laws (found in Title 18.2 ) to find crimes not listed below, and then use Title 19.2, Chapter 1 together with Va. Code § 18.2-8 to find the statutes of limitations for those crimes.

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